Anchorage Tours: Your 2025 Guide to Excursions, Day Trips & Wildlife Tours

Anchorage is truly a city on the edge of the wilderness. To the south, fjords, glaciers, and marine wildlife. To the north, the vast Interior, Denali, and the Arctic.

Anchorage really is the perfect base for tours in Alaska.

Because of its location, Anchorage tours can be anything from an exciting day exploring the city to bear-viewing, only accessible by air or helicopter landings on faraway glaciers.

That being said, this is our guide to our most popular Anchorage tours (and some Travel Designer personal favorites!). We cover tours and excursions in the city, in the surrounding wilderness, and the longer vacations we can build from them. Hopefully, this will help spark your next Alaskan adventure.

Let's begin.

In Short

• Anchorage is great to visit because it offers the amenities and convenience of a major city, and close proximity to rural Alaskan wilderness
• Anchorage tours range from day tours in the city to day trips through the wilderness in Prince William Sound, Katmai National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, or north to Denali National Park and the Interior Region
• Your Anchorage tour can connect you to a longer exploration of Alaska, be it in the Southcentral region or further north to Denali or even the Arctic

Credit: Eric Zhu on Unsplash

Why Visit Anchorage?

Anchorage is Alaska in a nutshell: a community of people living on the edge of true wilderness.

The city itself isn't small — nearly 300,000 people live in Anchorage — and has its own unique culture.

Anchorage was established as a city more than 110 years ago. And Alaska Natives, Chugach Alutiiq and Dena'ina Athabaskans, have occupied the region for over 5000 years. The city's culture is inseparable from the two.

There is a rich Alaska Native culture seen through the Anchorage Museum, Alaska Native Heritage Center, and the Alaska Art Alliance, where authentic handmade art and carvings are made in-house. Beyond that, a thriving brewery scene is prevalent throughout the city (with the option to explore it through a day tour — see below).

Credit: Pursuit

And, at the same time, nature is right on the city's doorstep.

Heading south, take in the towering mountains and deep fjords of the Kenai Peninsula, and the glaciers in Prince William Sound. And north, the grand, mesmerizing, and endlessly compelling Denali National Park is waiting on the horizon.

Anchorage Tours and Excursions

There are many different ways of touring Anchorage.

In our packages, look out for 'Freedom of Choice.' This is where you can choose between tours and excursions, and where we can really design your trip around you.

If you don't see exactly what you're looking for, just ask. The benefit of one-on-one vacation planning is that we can shape each and every trip directly to you.

Below, we split our Anchorage tours into:

• City tours
• Turnagain Arm tours
• Flightseeing tours
• Bear-viewing tours
• Rail tours
• Luxury lodges And include a few extras that don't quite fit the rest.

Below are our favorite picks, and the ones we include in our packages most frequently. A few are included as 'Upgrade Options' and require an extra fee. They are marked as such.

City Tours

City tours let you explore Anchorage to the fullest, be it through its history, its modern culture, or both.

Credit: Frank Flavin

Anchorage Scenic City Tour

Get to know the city better on a guided city tour. Explore its history and modern-day culture while sightseeing your way through its most popular attractions.

This is the easiest way to ground yourself in Anchorage at the start — or end — of your Alaska vacation, and we often recommend it for first-time visitors looking for the perfect introduction.

Duration: 2.5 hours | Dates: April-October | Activity Level: Low

Credit: Big Swig Tours

Anchorage Brew Tour

Go beyond the tourist track to local breweries in South Anchorage.

Across 4 hours, explore local craft breweries with a small group, enjoying 14 specialty and seasonal beer tastings as you discover the best hops in Anchorage. And, to keep you fueled, a not-so-surprise snack will be presented at one stop to keep you going throughout the afternoon.

Duration: 4 hours | Dates: Year-round | Activity Level: Low

Nature & Wildlife Turnagain Arm Tours

Traveling the Turnagain Arm, you'll journey along the Seward Highway, an All-American Road and National Scenic Byway. Here, the landscape quickly transforms from urban to truly wild, and wildlife roam.

Credit: Visit Anchorage (left), Alyeska Resort Hotel (right)

Turnagain Arm Wildlife Tour with Alyeska Tram

Travel the Turnagain Arm from Anchorage to Girdwood, where you’ll take a gondola to the peak of Mt. Alyeska — sweeping views of the valley and water included — and a tour of a 200-acre wildlife sanctuary home to bears, moose, caribou, bison, and wolves, among many others.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is the only place in Alaska where you’re guaranteed to see 'Big Five' wildlife, with the chance to spot even more along your journey south.

Duration: 6 hours | Dates: May-October / December-April | Activity Level: Easy

Credit: State of Alaska / Chris McLennan

Turnagain Arm Smartphone Tour

For aspiring photographers, this tour takes you off the beaten track to see — and capture — some of the Turnagain Arm's most scenic views and natural beauty. From photo spots along the beautiful Seward Highway, learn to photograph dramatic landscapes and some of Alaska's most iconic wildlife.

We don't just recommend this tour to photography enthusiasts, though.

This trip is great for anyone looking to capture and immortalize their time in Alaska. Take this tour early in your vacation, and make use of the tips you learn along the rest of your Alaskan adventure.

Duration: 5 hours | Dates: April-October | Activity Level: Easy

Flightseeing and Seaplane Tours

Flightseeing tours give you a different perspective, seeing the city dwarfed by the vast landscapes that define Alaska.

Rust's Flying Service

Anchorage Flightseeing Safari

Take to the skies on a flightseeing tour over Alaska's largest city and the wilderness that surrounds it.

Led by an expert pilot, you'll be taken on a whirlwind adventure, soaring above the Chugach Mountains' towering peaks, vast waters, and, of course, sweeping aerial views of the biggest city in Alaska.

Duration: 30 minutes | Dates: May-September | Activity Level: Easy

Credit: Alaska Helicopter Tours

Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled Excursion | Upgrade Option

If a helicopter ride through some of the most impressive mountains in the country isn't already enough, this tour pairs your stunning flightseeing tour with the chance to dogsled on a real glacier.

Covered with snow year-round, this tour offers year-round dogsledding with the small bonus of being atop an ancient glacier as you do.

Duration: 30 minutes | Dates: May-September | Activity Level: Moderate

Bear Viewing Tours

To see the most popular of the Alaskan 'Big Five,' bear-viewing tours from Anchorage take you from city to wilderness by air, and from wilderness to bears how you please.

Credit: Rust's Flying Service

Bear Viewing at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park | Upgrade Option

Bear-viewing tours at Katmai National Park are best in July, when the salmon run brings the most brown bears to the iconic Brooks Falls.

In peak season, this can be over 25 bears fishing the falls at once.

Duration: 10 hours | Dates: June-July | Activity Level: Easy/Moderate

Credit: Rust's Flying Service

Bear Viewing at Lake Clark National Park | Upgrade Option

Lake Clark National Park extends bear-viewing past the typical season. This spot is best from late-July until mid-September.

Spawning salmon draw bears to the lakeside to feed. Your scenic flight and pontoon boat trip let you see them.

Duration: 11 hours | Dates: July-September | Activity Level: Easy

Credit: Rust's Flying Service

Bear Viewing at Redoubt Bay Lodge | Upgrade Option

At the end of a narrow, 7-mile estuary off Cook Inlet, the channel opens up to Big River Lakes and, perched on one, Redoubt Bay Lodge. The interconnected set of lakes attracts one of the most concentrated populations of bears in Alaska and, as such, is the perfect place for bear-viewing from a pontoon boat on the water.

Duration: 6 hours | Dates: July-August | Activity Level: Easy

Credit: Rust's Flying Service

Bear Viewing at Chinitna Bay | Upgrade Option

Chinitna Bay is the furthest from Anchorage, meaning you will enjoy a stunning 1.5-hour small flightseeing tour on your way there.

Once you're there, your expert local guide will bring you from the remote beach you land at to wherever the bears are by four-wheel drive.

Duration: 6 hours | Dates: May-August | Activity Level: Easy/Moderate

Other Tours in Anchorage

Credit: Salmon Berry Tours

Hatcher Pass Hike and History Tour

Just beyond North Anchorage, discover an easy yet rewarding hike in the Talkeetna mountains, which is less than a mile long. It begins high above the valley, and you are rewarded with stunning scenery and sweeping views of Hatcher Pass and the surrounding peaks from beginning to end.

Enjoy a guided tour of Independence Mine State Historic Park, abandoned gold-rush-era mines hidden in the mountains and lost to time. Try goldpanning in Fishhook Creek to see if any gold remains and, to end the day, enjoy an interpretive guided walk along the surrounding Mill Loop trail.

Duration: 5.5 hours | Dates: June-September | Activity Level: Moderate

Credit: Alaska Photo Treks

Sunset Photo Safari

Capture Alaska at its most radiant on a Sunset Photo Safari.

From a hidden viewpoint above Knik Inlet, watch the Anchorage skyline fade into silhouette against the jagged peaks of Chugach State Park and Chugach National Forest. Learn how to frame and shoot these scenes, and preserve this moment in Alaska.

As the sun continues to sink — the sunset is extended in Alaska's midnight sun season — the mountains are lit in orange and the sun bounces off the sea, and, hopefully, you'll spot wildlife making an appearance in the cool evening. A flexible itinerary means this tour will make photo stops where the views are best that day.

Duration: 5.5 hours | Dates: June-September | Activity Level: Easy

With a Bit more Time...

These are our tours and excursions requiring a little more time.

Whether it's a full-day adventure or requires a night or two in another location, this is how we build our vacations from your must-do experiences. We find the highlights that pull you to a place.

We will cover:

• Day trips
• Extended vacations (including rail tours, road trips, and lodge retreats)
• What to expect once you're here
• First-timer's itinerary created by Travel Designers

Anchorage Day Trips

These places near Anchorage make for perfect day trips or short stops away from the city.

Credit: Travel Alaska / Ben Prescott

Prince William Sound

Prince William Sound is the place to go if you want to see a glacier calving — it has the densest concentration of tidewater glaciers, glaciers that terminate in the ocean, in the world.

Feature Tour: Alaska Land Tour with Denali, Glaciers and the Arctic

Credit: Phillips Cruises

Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise

Departing from the small port town of Whittier, journey deep into Prince William Sound's vast series of passages, bays, and fjords on the famed 26 Glacier Cruise.

The 26 Glacier Cruise covers 130 miles and, unsurprisingly, 26 different glaciers over 5 hours. Onboard, settle in with a complimentary hot meal as you gaze over towering mountains, long fjords, and the many glaciers that created them. This glacier cruise is a personal favorite of our Travel Designers who have experienced it themselves, and one we recommend to almost every guest.

Duration: 5 hours | Dates: May-October | Activity Level: Easy

Credit: Eric Zhu on Unsplash

Kenai Fjords National Park

The Kenai Fjords are narrow channels of ocean calved into the mountains by glacial activity. There, you can hike to impressive glaciers, voyage deep fjords, and discover the wildlife roaming within.

Feature Tour: Alaska Trains Glaciers & Denali

Credit: Pursuit

Resurrection Bay Wildlife Tour

From Seward, set sail on a cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park.

While nearby Prince William Sound is famed for its glaciers, and best for glacier-watching, the Kenai Fjords are alive with wildlife. Even then, you will still get up close with the massive glaciers that formed the fjords. While wildlife encounters can never be guaranteed, this cruise often sees otters, Stellar sea lions, marine birds, and even whales.

Midway, you'll stop at the remote Fox Island and step ashore to enjoy a hearty Alaskan lunch in its private lodge. While there, walk the pebble beach bordered by wild forest and snow-capped mountains, spot wildlife from the shore, and take in the stillness of the quiet island.

Duration: 4.5 hours | Dates: May-September | Activity Level: Easy

Credit: Pursuit

Northwestern Fjord Cruise

This is the ultimate fjord cruise in Alaska.

Journey deeper into Kenai Fjords National Park than any other cruise, voyaging all the way to the magnificently remote Northwestern Fjord. There, you will be met by towering cliffs, gigantic glaciers, and truly untouched landscapes.

An added bonus: the extra time and distance on the water means an even higher chance of seeing wildlife.

You’ll weave through the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge as you sail, a series of 2400 islands where 40 million seabirds live, their rookeries lining the cliffs, and marine mammals flourish.

Duration: 8 hours | Dates: May-August | Activity Level: Easy

Credit: State of Alaska / Matt Hague

Tonsina Point Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure

Paddle the turquoise waters of Resurrection Bay, one of Alaska’s most spectacular sea kayaking destinations. Hug the rugged coastline as snowcapped peaks rise above you, keeping an eye out for otters, sea lions, and even whales.

No two tours are the same.

You might spend the entire trip out on the water. Or, land on the Point to relax on the secluded beach and wander the forest. Either way, your guide will share local insights into the vegetation and wildlife, geology and glaciology, and fascinating history along the way.

Duration: 3-4 hours | Dates: May-September | Activity Level: Moderate

Credit: Adventure 60 North

Bear Lake Kayaking Trip

For a peaceful alternative to ocean kayaking, head to Bear Lake for an easy and scenic paddle. This tour is ideal for beginner kayakers or families with children aged six and up.

Drift past forested shores and take in the stillness, stopping at a salmon weir to learn about the fish’s incredible life cycle. If you’re visiting in June or July, you might even see the salmon run in action.

Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for eagles and loons overhead, and with luck, spot bears or moose wandering the shore.

Duration: 3-4 hours | Dates: May-September | Activity Level: Moderate

Credit: Travel Alaska

Wilderness Dog Sled Ride Tour

Mush through Alaskan forest and alongside creeks on a summer adventure unlike any other.

Over the course of 1.5 hours and 2 miles, you’ll ride with a team of Iditarod-winning sled dogs as they pull you toward the base of Resurrection Mountain.

Back at the kennel, cuddle with the next generation of Iditarod champions: the puppies.

Duration: 1.5 hours | Dates: May-September | Activity Level: Easy

Credit: Izzy Majcher on Unsplash

Exit Glacier Hike

Set out on a guided hike into Kenai Fjords National Park. Your destination? The dramatic Exit Glacier.

Following Resurrection River Valley alongside an expert naturalist tour guide, you'll weave through alder groves and cross rocky outcrops on your way towards the icefield.

This is an easy to moderate hike covering 2.2 miles and both developed and undeveloped hiking trails. You are rewarded with the rare chance to get up close to a glacier on foot with one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers.

Duration: 2.5 hours | Dates: May-September | Activity Level: Moderate

Credit: Rust's Flying Service

Guided Walking Salmon Fishing | Upgrade Option

Cast off into clear water in the quiet of wilderness rivers around Seward on a guided salmon fishing tour.

Your expert tour guide will teach you the ropes — or help refine your skills if you're already a seasoned angler — as you wade the banks, experience local Alaskan fishing culture, and hook your own catch.

Note that you will need to purchase a fishing license to take this tour.

Duration: 2.5 hours | Dates: May-September | Activity Level: Moderate

Credit: Adventure 60 North

Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking Adventure | Upgrade Option

Kayak among silent towering glaciers drifting in a secluded glacial lagoon.

Begin your tour with a jet boat across Resurrection Bay and up a glacial-fed river to reach the lagoon, where giant icebergs calved from Bear Glacier gather. Spend hours among them, kayaking the still waters between icebergs and by the glacier itself. And with just six guests per trip, the quiet is mesmerizing.

For the ultimate finale, we can arrange a helicopter ride back from the lagoon, letting you enjoy the best ways to experience remote Alaska.

Duration: 5.5 hours | Dates: May-September | Activity Level: Moderate

Anchorage Extended Vacations

These tours from Anchorage offer 3-to-10-day trips through Alaska's expansive landscapes.

Rail Tours

While not typical 'Anchorage tours,' rail tours from Anchorage take you as far south as Seward and as far north as Fairbanks.

To take all three summer routes, our Ultimate Alaska Train Vacation includes them all in one unforgettable rail adventure.

Alaska has 5 passenger train routes, of which 4 are used by visitors as sightseeing train rides, and 3 are summer routes. We have a detailed guide linked below, but here is everything you need to know at a glance.

For Our Guide, See: All Your Questions about Alaska Railroad, Answered

Credit: Alaska Railroad

Denali Star

Denali Star at a glance:

• Anchorage to Fairbanks
• 11 hours 40 minutes
• May - September
• GoldStar Service included with Alaska By Design vacations

Feature Package: Denali Alaska Railroad Highlights

Credit: Alaska Railroad

Coastal Classic

Coastal Classic at a glance:

• Anchorage to Seward
• 4 hours 35 minutes
• May - September
• GoldStar Service included with Alaska By Design vacations

Feature Package: Alaska Trains Glaciers & Denali

Credit: Alaska Railroad

Glacier Discovery

Glacier Discovery at a glance:

• Anchorage to Whittier (and onwards to Grandview)
• 2 hours 20 minutes
• May - September
• Adventure Class only

Feature Package: Best of Alaska Rail & Glaciers

Credit: Alaska Railroad

Aurora Winter Train

Aurora Winter Train at a glance:

• Anchorage to Fairbanks
• 11 hours 30 minutes
• September - May
• Adventure Class only

Feature Package: Alaska Aurora Train | Northern Lights Adventure

Hurricane Turn

The Hurricane Turn, the 5th and final Alaska Railroad route, is typically used by Alaskan residents living beyond the road system rather than as a sightseeing train. While still offering stunning views by virtue of being located in Southcentral Alaska, it exists to provide access to Anchorage.

Food is not available onboard this route, and any travelers taking this train should prepare to cater for themselves.

Credit: Tutka Bay Lodge

Luxury Lodges

Throughout Southcentral Alaska (and beyond) there are numerous remote wilderness lodges hidden among the landscapes. Despite their remote locations, they offer high-end experiences, letting you comfortably venture into the backcountry and see what Alaska is really about.

We have included our detailed guide to Alaska's luxury lodges below, but provide a list of the stand-outs in Southcentral Alaska here, too.

Our Detailed Guide: Best Alaska Lodges for Your Perfect Wilderness Escape

Our favorites in the region include:

• Stillpoint Lodge | Kemach Bay/Halibut Cove
• Tordrillo Mountain Lodge | Tordrillo Range/Judd Lake
• Tutka Bay Lodge | Kemach Bay/Tutka Bay
• Ultima Thule Lodge | Wrangell St. Elias National Park

Road Trip Destinations: Towns in Southcentral Alaska

Some of the best places to visit near Anchorage are the small towns nearby, each with their own charm and attractions.

As well as access to the grand wilderness and thrilling excursions, these towns offer a look into life in remote Alaska beyond the city. And, for road trippers, they are the perfect place to stay each night, and refuel for the adventure ahead.

We go into more detail on each below, but our favorites (and what you'll see in them) include:

• Whittier: Prince William Sound Cruise
• Seward: Kenai Fjords Cruise, Seward Aquarium
• Girdwood: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Alyeska Tram
• Homer: Homer Spit, wilderness lodge access

Credit: Travel Alaska

Girdwood

Girdwood is situated right on the edge of the Turnagain Arm, with views across the water to the mountains in the Kenai Peninsula.

Here, you'll find the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and, with it, guaranteed sightings of four out of five of Alaska's 'Big Five': bears (both black and brown bears), moose, caribou (reindeer), and wolves.

Related Post: The Best Alaskan Wildlife to See on Your Trip

For more luck seeing Dall sheep, the neighboring Alyeska Tram might help. Take a 7-minute ride on the Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway for near-summit views of the valley, Chugach Mountains, and Turnagain Arm.

While in town, take a break at Girdwood Brewing Company (especially if you were a fan of the Anchorage Brew Tour) for a rotating taplist of local beers. Food trucks are on-site year-round to keep you well-fed while you sample each brew.

From Girdwood, the road forks with the Seward Highway heading left into the Kenai Peninsula and the Portage Glacier Road heading right to Whittier.

Credit: Travel Alaska / Niaz Uddin

Seward

Getting to Seward from Anchorage can be on the Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic train, or on a drive along the Seward Highway.

The drive is beautiful, following the scenic highway south along the Turnagain Arm — neighbored by the train tracks — with views of the wide valley, water, and towering mountains behind.

On the other hand, the train ride cuts away from the highway between Girdwood and the tiny town of Moose Pass in the Kenai Peninsula. There, you'll move from the wide open valleys to much narrower ones, with snow-capped peaks rising right beside the train, braided rivers, lakes, and glaciers all around.

Once in town, enjoy wandering the small downtown, visit the Alaska Sealife Center for up-close encounters with Alaska's best marine wildlife, and take one of the many Kenai Fjords cruises (our recommendations are listed above) to voyage the waters beyond.

Credit: Joseph Corl on Unsplash

Whittier

Whittier is a small town only accessible by a one-way, one-lane, 2.5-mile tunnel shared by both cars and trains, or by water.

It is perhaps one of the most unique towns in Alaska. The majority of its year-round residents live in a single building, the Begich Towers. That being said, there is a strong local community in the remote town, nestled between mountains and fjord.

Most people visit Whittier as a departure or arrival port for cruises to Alaska. However, its other main draw is as a gateway to Prince William Sound, and day cruises leave the town for multi-hour voyages through fjords and ice to reach its fabled glaciers.

Credit: Tutka Bay Lodge

Homer

Homer is an extremely charming town on the southwest coast of the Kenai Peninsula.

It is a beautiful destination in its own right, with a long spit jutting into Kachemak Bay and a cluster of local shops at the far end. We recommend a visit to the most iconic spot — the Salty Dawg Saloon — where dollar bills entirely cover the interior walls. Though the road is lined with many local eateries, quaint gift shops, and small galleries for you to explore.

As well as an introduction to rural Alaskan life, we see Homer as a gateway to luxury wilderness lodges far beyond where roads go: Tutka Bay Lodge and Stillpoint Lodge.

What to Expect on Your Trip to Anchorage

Once you've landed, this is what to expect.

Credit: Alaska By Design

How to get to Anchorage

The main way visitors get to Alaska is to fly directly to the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. This is best for any visitors traveling from the Lower 48 or outside the US.

From the airport, you can get to downtown Anchorage easily. Taxis are located outside the North (International) Terminal main lobby and in designated pickup zones by the South (Domestic) Terminal and take approximately 15-20 minutes. Or, we can arrange for a private transfer to meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.

Traveling to the Kenai Peninsula is easy on any Anchorage tour — many Turnagain Arm tours will happily pick up or drop off in one of the towns. If this is something you are looking for, ask your Travel Designer and they will arrange the tour that's right for you.

And it's easy in the reverse direction, too. For example, cruise ship passengers can end their cruise in Whittier or Seward, disembark directly to an Anchorage tour, and connect their cruise to a land tour seamlessly.

Credit: Travel Alaska

How to Get to the Kenai Peninsula by Car

A road trip is the best way to explore Southcentral Alaska for freedom-seeking travelers. There are the fewest time constraints and the most opportunities to see what you want, when you want to. If you see a sight, stop at your own free will. Best for independent travelers.

Credit: Alaska By Design

How to Get to the Kenai Peninsula by Rail

The most scenic way to get from Anchorage to Whittier or Seward is by train. The Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic train runs between Anchorage and Seward, and the Glacier Discovery train between Anchorage and Whittier. Best for relaxed travelers.

Related Post: All Your Questions about Alaska Railroad, Answered

How to Get to the Kenai Peninsula by Private Transfer

The flexibility of a road trip with none of the work, a private transfer is a luxurious way to see Alaska's sights. Best for ease-seeking travelers.

How to Get to the Kenai Peninsula by Group Tour

To see the sights and experience the peninsula along the way, we offer transfers by way of group tour. Led by a local expert tour guide, you'll be given a comprehensive introduction. Best for sightseeing travelers.

Credit: Tourism Anchorage / Ken Graham Photography(left), NPS Photo / Kaitlin Thoresen

What You'll See on Anchorage Tours

The best things to see in Anchorage are the city, glaciers, fjords, and wildlife. This is where to go for each:

• Urban Life — Anchorage
• Wildlife — Katmai National Park
• Glaciers — Prince William Sound
• Fjords — Kenai Fjords National Park

Best Time to Visit Anchorage

The best month to visit Anchorage is in July or August, when weather is good, wildlife is active, and mosquitoes are gone. You'll also benefit from the sockeye salmon run, which brings abundant bears to surrounding areas like Brooks Falls. But, the entirety of the summer months offers the ‘peak season,’ where the majority of hotels, activities, and restaurants are open. During the off-season, many more rural spots close.

If you want to see Anchorage in winter, the best way to get there is on the Alaska Aurora Train. This transports you through the snowy landscapes in warm train cars and avoids winter driving conditions.

Credit: Niaz Uddin

Northern Lights Anchorage Tours in Winter

Our winter Anchorage tours start in the city, and then head slowly north by train.

You'll travel through Denali National Park to Fairbanks. There, you'll have the opportunity for prime Northern Lights viewing.

For those seeking an extra thrill, we can take you further north still to the Arctic by road or air to see the auroras dance above the Arctic Circle.

Feature Winter Anchorage Tour: Alaska Northern Lights Tour | Anchorage to the Arctic

Southcentral Alaska Itinerary

Following our Glaciers, Fjords Denali & Alaska Train Vacation, you'll enjoy 7 days in Alaska, exploring the Southcentral Region and a day trip to Denali National Park, all while using Anchorage as your home base. You will see everything from the deepest fjords to North America's tallest mountain, as well as all kinds of wildlife, if you're lucky.

This tour includes many of our Anchorage excursions, as well as some exciting additions further north in Denali.

The following itinerary is based on our recommendations, but when you book with us, each detail will be designed just for you. You can add or remove any activities as you please, and we'll arrange your journey to match.

Credit: NPS Photo / Jim Pfeiffenberger

Days 1-3: Anchorage, Seward, & Whittier

You'll begin in Anchorage, where you'll begin exploring the region by train and by boat, as you journey to Seward with Alaska Railroad and into the fjords beyond on a day cruise. an eight-hour fjord cruise, including breakfast and lunch onboard.

You'll voyage from the port in Seward through Resurrection Bay and Harris Bay on your way to the remote Northwestern Fjord. Along the way, see marine wildlife, sea birds, fjords, and glaciers.

Once back in Seward, you can explore the charming town perched on the inner edge of Resurrection Bay. Our Travel Designers recommend Ray's Waterfront for dinner, where you can enjoy some incredible fresh seafood while overlooking the harbor.

After that, we'll take you — by private transfer — to Prince William Sound where you will continue voyaging Alaska’s extensive coast on the 26 Glaciers Cruise. We've designed the beginning of your journey to be filled with exciting adventures and give you the warmest welcome to Alaska's very best.

Return to downtown Anchorage on day three and end your day with a drink and a bite to eat at Glacier Brewhouse or 49th State Brewing (then head just next door to Wild Scoops ice cream for a scoop served 'baked Alaska' style).

Credit: Alamy

Day 4: Anchorage Tours

On day four, you'll have freedom of choice of Anchorage tours (we hope this post has given you some inspiration!). Venture along the Turnigan Arm, stopping in Girdwood for lunch and at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for guaranteed up-close wildlife viewing on your way.

Or, take to the skies with a flightseeing tour — by plane to world-class bear viewing or by helicopter to glacier-top dog sledding, it’s your choice!

Anchorage is difficult to experience in just one day, though. We recommend adding an extra day here, if you have the time. This way, you can choose to pair two excursions: one that explores Alaska’s wild side (a bear-viewing tour or guided hike are favorites for this), and one to discover the city.

Credit: Alaska Railroad / Stewart Sterling

Days 6-7: Denali Trip

Your Alaska vacation ends with a two-day journey to Denali National Park and Preserve. Board the Denali Star train to begin a scenic 7.5-hour train journey along fjords, through boreal forests, and into the mountains.

Related Post: Best Denali National Park Tours for Wildlife & Scenic Views

Combine Anchorage with Other Alaska Destinations

Anchorage is Alaska’s most accessible city, making it easy to connect to other iconic national parks, charming towns, and remote getaways.

Read Alaska Vacation Ideas: The Ultimate Guide to get a head-start on planning before you call a Travel Designer.

Credit: Alaska By Design

Plan Your Anchorage Tours with Alaska By Design

Ready to experience the best of Alaska? Let us design it. We'll find the best experiences for you, and go from there. At Alaska By Design, paired with one of our expert Travel Designers, you'll get an itinerary designed around you, arranged in advance, and delivered with care. If that's not enough, you'll have on-the-ground support as you travel, ensuring your journey is never anything but smooth.

Reach out today to meet your Travel Designer and start planning your Alaska tour, and subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive tips, itinerary ideas, and inspiration. We'll be in touch soon.

FAQ

Where is Anchorage?

Anchorage is in Alaska's Southcentral Region. This stretches from the Cook Inlet and the Kenai Peninsula in the south, and north to Talkeetna. The region encompasses famous destinations such as Kenai Fjords National Park, Prince William Sound, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, and, of course, Anchorage.

Southcentral Alaska is home to over half the state's population. Anchorage, the biggest city in Alaska, is home to nearly 40%.

It's the only extensively drivable region in the state, making it the perfect place for an Alaska road trip. And, the Alaska Railroad runs straight through.

This means connecting the city with small towns like Seward and Whittier is incredibly easy and incredibly alluring.

How many days do I need in Anchorage?

One full day for the city, and one day for each day trip in the area. We typically include 2-3 days on our itineraries so that our guests can experience each of the area's wonders. But, if you're looking to do more, or are only interested in some of the region's attractions, we can design your itinerary around that.

Which is the best Alaska tour?

The best Alaska tour depends on what you're looking for. Our most popular Anchorage tours include:

• Glacier cruises
• Bear-viewing excursions
• Flightseeing and helicopter tours
• Rail tours

These tours are offered from Anchorage as well as further north in Denali and Fairbanks.

Can I see the Northern Lights in Anchorage?

While it is possible to see the Northern Lights in Anchorage, the best way to see them is to head north to Fairbanks, which is under the Auroral Oval and has significantly higher geomagnetic activity and stronger Northern Lights.

We offer dedicated Northern Lights tours in the best part of the year to see Northern Lights — from November until April — to take you there.

That being said, as the Aurora Borealis is visible from September until April, many of our summer tours grant you the opportunity to view the Northern Lights too.

Can I take the train to Anchorage?

There is no train between the lower 48 and Alaska, meaning you cannot take the train to Anchorage from the contiguous United States or Canada. However, multiple trains run from Anchorage to other parts of Alaska, so you can take the train to Anchorage from Seward, Whittier, Denali National Park, and Fairbanks.

These train rides are a beautiful way to see the state, and we design many of our itineraries around them as a result. We highly recommend including a train to Anchorage in your travels.

Feature Image Credit: State of Alaska / Matt Hage